Embracing New Approaches to Seizure Control Beyond Surgery: Gregory Krauss, MD

WATCH TIME: 5 minutes

"The traditional definition of treatment-resistant epilepsy, centered around drug failures, is evolving as new treatments emerge, challenging the belief that seizure control is unattainable after multiple drug attempts. The introduction of third generation antiseizure drugs marks a significant stride in epilepsy treatment, providing opportunities for better seizure control with reduced side effects, ultimately reshaping the landscape of patient care."

Epilepsy, a prevalent neurological disease, impacts both patients living with the condition and healthcare systems that support the patients’ care. According to research, approximately one-third of patients who face drug-resistant epilepsy qualify for surgical options; however, barriers impede surgical treatment adoption.¹ Despite the current barriers, advances in minimally invasive surgeries and neuromodulation have shown to be promising alternatives with favorable seizure outcomes as observed in recent studies.² Although epilepsy surgery provides an opportunity for patients to achieve seizure freedom, research recommends that providers grasp the pros and cons of both approaches before making an informed decision with the patient.

At the 2023 American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting, held December 1-5, in Orlando, Florida, SK Life Science hosted a symposium titled “Impact of Continued Seizures and Strategies for Seizure Reduction/Freedom” led by experts in epilepsy.³ The symposium covered currently available strategies for reducing and achieving seizure freedom, the need to better understand unmet needs for achieving seizure freedom, and the impact of continued seizures on patients. Additionally in the symposium, experts spoke on evidence-based treatment adjustments before patients consider surgery, and the various treatment options available to support patients in their epilepsy journey.

Prior to the symposium, one of the speakers, Gregory Krauss, MD, professor of neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, sat down to discussan overview of the main points he planned to speak on. He talked about how the conventional paradigm of defining treatment-resistant epilepsy is being challenged by recent advancements in patient care. Krauss also spoke about the role third generation antiseizure drugs play in reshaping the treatment landscape for patients with epilepsy who had multiple drugs that failed them. Additionally, he explained how new treatments provide seizure freedom even for patients with a history of pediatric tumors or posttraumatic epilepsy, challenging the notion that surgery is the only curative option.

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REFERENCES
1. Shamim D, Nwabueze O, Uysal U. Beyond Resection: Neuromodulation and Minimally Invasive Epilepsy Surgery. Noro Psikiyatr Ars. 2022;59(Suppl 1):S81-S90. Published 2022 Dec 16. doi:10.29399/npa.28181
2. Perry MS, Duchowny M. Surgical versus medical treatment for refractory epilepsy: outcomes beyond seizure control. Epilepsia. 2013;54(12):2060-2070. doi:10.1111/epi.12427
3. SK Life Science to Host Symposium and Present New Data at the American Epilepsy Society (AES) 2023 Annual Meeting. News Release. SK Life Science. Published November 28, 2023. Accessed November 30, 2023. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sk-life-science-to-host-symposium-and-present-new-data-at-the-american-epilepsy-society-aes-2023-annual-meeting-301998374.html